Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Dec 3 – 4, 2016Alberta Parks
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Avalanche danger will be slowly increasing over the next 24hrs with 20cm of forecast snow and moderate winds.  If forecasted snowfall amounts do not arrive, we will likely see the danger remain at Moderate in Alpine. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Isolated pockets of windslabs in alpine areas on northern aspects. These slabs are up to 20cm thick, pencil hard but do not extend far downslope.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    New storm slabs will be building throughout the day on Sunday with the new snow and forecasted westerly winds.

Confidence

Moderate - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Sunday

Weather Forecast

10cm of snow is forecast to fall overnight and an additional 5-10cm throughout the day on Sunday.  This new snow is forecast to fall under a moderate westerly wind and cooler temperatures so we are going to see avalanche danger begin to increase in Alpine areas.  We are expecting new slabs to build throughout the day. 

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanche activity was observed.

Snowpack Summary

30-50cm of snow is overlying the November 12th Melt freeze crust which is being found up to 2500m on all aspects.  So far, field tests are showing that overlying snow is bonding to this crust fairly well.  This may change as more load is applied to the crust.  In alpine area in immediate lees, pockets of pencil hard windslab are being encountered up to 20cm thick.  These slabs do not extend far downslope, but they are certainly in the realm of being triggerred by a skier. 

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